Joel Osaigbovo Aluge, Reporting
As the elections in the two States approach, the Commission has decided to resume the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) in the two States to enable eligible citizens who are not registered voters to do so.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu disclosed this at the second regular quarterly consultative meeting with political parties in Abuja on Monday.
The proactive move by the Commission to ensure maximum participation in the upcoming elections. Continuous Voter Registration helps ensure that all eligible citizens have the opportunity to exercise their democratic right to vote.
Allowing registered voters to transfer their registration to Edo and Ondo States or within the two States is a crucial step in ensuring that voters can participate in the electoral process regardless of their current location. It promotes inclusivity and ensures that voters can easily exercise their right to vote in their chosen location.
Absolutely, it’s essential to emphasize that the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) is solely for new registrants and individuals seeking to transfer their registration. Double or multiple registration is illegal and could lead to complications in the electoral process. Maintaining the integrity of the voter registration system is crucial for fair and transparent elections.
Lost or damaged voters’ cards will be replaced during the exercise but this does require fresh registration. The CVR in Edo and Ondo States will take place simultaneously from Monday 27th May 2024 to Wednesday 5th June 2024 from 9.00am to 3.00pm daily including the weekend.
This means that there will be 192 Ward registration centres in Edo State and 203 centres in Ondo State, in addition to our State offices in Benin City and Akure, making a total of 397 walk-in registration centres in the two States”, he added.
Yakubu explained that there will be no online pre-registration option in the two States because of time constraints.
He said each centre will be managed by two officials drawn from the commission’s pool of regular staff and the National Youth Service Corps NYSC.
In addition to the registration of voters, the Commission will also make available the uncollected Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) for collection during the CVR. In the coming days, the list of uncollected PVCs will be published in our offices in the two States and simultaneously uploaded to our website.